STAFF REPORTER -
Muscat, Feb 24 -
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) will stop receiving applications for tourism and express visas at its service centres from March 21. Applications will be received only electronically on the ROP website http://evisa.gov.om, it has announced.
The decision is in line with the government’s efforts to streamline procedures, said Brigadier Ahmed bin Sultan al Nabhani, Director-General of Passport and Residence at ROP. The e-Visa system was activated through the unsponsored tourism visa and GCC residents’ visas in the first stage, while the sponsored tourism visa and express visas have been activated in the second phase, Al Nabhani said.
Express visa is given to foreign businessmen whose business requires visiting Oman for trade missions.
It is also issued to top professionals based on a request from commercial establishments.
Express visa is valid for one month and its holder can visit the Sultanate only once, during which he can stay for three weeks, extendable to four weeks.
It is available for citizens of all countries who meet the conditions, said the official.
Foreigners who want to visit the country for tourism purposes need to obtain a visa beforehand through the e-Visa system. Citizens of some European nations can apply for the visa through their acquaintances.
For citizens of other countries, application should be presented by a local establishment.
Issued against a fee of RO 20, it allows its holders a one-month stay in Oman.
A one-year tourism visa with multiple entries was introduced recently. It is issued against a fee of RO 50 and allows its holders a one-month stay during each entry, the official said.
Unsponsored tourism visa can be obtained on the ROP website - www.rop.gov.om – and by filling in required fields, attaching required documents and paying fees via credit card on the official e-payment portal.
The applicant will then receive a notification by e-mail.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
